Intravascular leiomyosarcoma of the brachiocephalic region -- report of an unusual tumour localisation: case report and review of the literature.
BACKGROUND
Intravascular leiomyosarcoma is a rare tumour entity originating from venous vessel structures and most frequently affecting the inferior vena cava.


METHODS
A 69-year old patient presented with a biopsy proven leiomyosarcoma of the right supraclavicular region. Tumour resection and histological assessment verified the intravascular tumour origin arising from the internal jugular vein and extending into the surrounding soft tissue.


CONCLUSIONS
In the presence of a biopsy proven diagnosis of leiomyosarcoma the rare condition of an intravascular tumour origin has to be considered even without signs of venous stases. This may result in an altered surgical strategy. Microthrombembolism and pulmonary metastases may complicate the course of the disease.
Tilkorn
Daniel-Johannes
DJ
Department of Plastic Surgery, Burn Center, Hand Center, Sarcoma Reference Center, BG-University-Hospital Bergmannsheil, Ruhr-University Bochum, Germany. d.tilkorn@web.de
Lehnhardt
Marcus
M
Hauser
Jörg
J
Daigeler
Adrien
A
Hebebrand
Detlev
D
Mentzel
Thomas
T
Steinau
Hans Ulrich
HU
Kuhnen
Cornelius
C
D000368:Aged; D000792:Angiography / Q000379:methods; D001707:Biopsy, Needle; D016122:Brachiocephalic Trunk; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D007601:Jugular Veins; D007890:Leiomyosarcoma / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000601:surgery*; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / Q000473:pathology*; D018570:Risk Assessment; D013350:Subclavian Vein; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D016312:Treatment Refusal; D019043:Vascular Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000601:surgery*; D014656:Vascular Surgical Procedures / Q000379:methods